The Philippines will once again commemorate its independence day on June 12. Already, the streets of Metro Manila and other metropolitan centers around the archipelago are filled with bright new Philippine flags fluttering proudly at every lamp post and building. For sure, there will be parades, programs and cultural shows to remind us all of the heroism of our forefathers. 

Celebrating the heroism of those who came before us however, requires more than just superficial festivities. Rizal, Bonifacio, Mabini, Gabriela Silang, and the countless and nameless others did not give their lives so that we can party. They gave their lives so that we may be respected. The world was different then. The so called advanced peoples of the world were just starting to discover other worlds, other cultures beyond their borders. And Filipinos, like many other “discovered” peoples, were viewed as backward, uncivilized natives incapable of governing themselves. The individual Filipino was viewed as inferior because his community was unorganized and backward. Thus, the struggle for independence was more than just a fight for recognition of the nation. It was also a fight for the recognition of the individual. It was a battle fought so that every individual could have the opportunity to bloom and realize his full potential as a human being. Thus, the revolution required more than courage in the battlefield or skill in arms. Any animal could, and would fight for survival.

It was a fight that demanded no less than excellence in every endeavor, in literature, arts and science, as well as in the art of war. Filipinos had to show the world not only that we can fight as well as any other western soldier, but that we too could feel, think, and love like them. We did. And now we are respected. What we actually gained with our independence therefore is more than a just a status in the community of nations.

What we achieved is respect for the individual as an equal. And what the nation has achieved for the individual, it can very well lose too. Once our nation loses the respect of the world community, the Filipino individual, wherever he may be, will suffer too. Once the Philippines is perceived as a nation of thieves, every Filipino will be tainted with the thievery in his country. Once the Philippines is perceived as a nation of cheaters, each one of us will be tainted by the cheating. Just as we were benefited by the exemplary conduct of our heroes, we too shall be dishonored by the sins of our countrymen.  

Let us celebrate the day our nation paved the way for each individual Filipino to succeed. But as we do, let us remind ourselves that we cannot pretend to be unaffected by the deterioration of our nation.